“But I’ve done the same?” I said. “You think I should expose the Prince for the same terms I’ve violated? I—But then wouldn’t that expose Miss Agatha, too?”
“Yes.”
“But that would inflict obscene damage to her reputation,” I said. “She wouldn’t just be forever parted from the Prince. She would be labeled the reason for the Treaty’s failure. And if War came of it– Elías, in either event, she wouldnevermarry.”
“Yes.”
“I-I mean, it’s not like their relationship is very well-hidden. No. I think everyone at least suspects it. Aster, Agatha’s sister, is the capitol’s gossip. She would definitely know. Their little group of ladies seem to know everything about everyone but I… I don’t know. Once others got a hold of it… Sameer might recover; he’s a man; he’s the Prince. But Agatha would not. She would absolutely not recover and she would… She has always been so kind to me. And Sam… Sam’s not evil. He’s… He’s in love. I can’t say that I am any better in my own affections for Mr. Evergreen. I have done many things in the name of love, things that I would not have expected I would do this time last year. But… No. No, I won’t damage their reputations like that. I can’t. And I certainly won’t ruin another woman’s life for the very sins that I commit for myself. She doesn’t deserve it. No one does. But especially not someone who’s just following her heart.”
“Good. I’m proud of you,” Elías said.
“For what?” I asked. “For being a decent human being?”
“Yes. I’ve served your father for many years, I know how power corrupts. You should be very proud of yourself. I am.”
“...Thank you.” I sat taller, more confidently. “Alright then. Now that my soul remains intact, how wouldyouapproach it?” I asked.
“Me?”
“Yes, you,” I said. “If you were in this situation, what would you do?”
“You would not like my approach,” he said. “You’re better off making your own plan.”
“You would just marry Sam, wouldn’t you?” I asked. “Awful advice. Truly unhelpful.”
“I did warn you,” he said.
I narrowed my eyes. “You know what? I don’t believe you,” I told him.
He cocked his head.
“I don’t. You said just a bit ago, ‘did you think I cared that she was married?’ Uh-huh. You’re a snake apparently. Sliding into people’s nooks and crannies.”
He choked on a laugh, loudly. “Nooks and crannies, is it? I’m offended by that.”
“No you aren’t. Tell me. What’s your real solution?” I asked. “If my mother wouldn’t have done what she did, would you have left the Castle at the King’s command? Would you have left her? Me?”
“No,” he said plainly. “No. I would have struck a deal with Nikolai. Nikolai liked deals. Sure, there was a chance he might have killed me for suggesting it, but it would’ve been more likely received.”
“What sort of deal?” I asked.
“It’s too boorish for a lady’s ears,” he said.
I blinked. “Too boorish? What sort of deal would you have made?”
He waved me off. “We’re speaking of your situation, not mine. In yours, I would offer a trade. Miss Agatha for Cyrus somehow. Sameer would keep her in Chalke; you’d bring Cyrus here, build him a home in King’s Land likely, and then you would both simply carry on with life as it was, despite your marriage.”
“Despite my marriage. So I should just…marry Sam and agree to an open arrangement?”
He hesitated. “In the perfect world, yes. Unfortunately, your Cyrus is more noble than I am. He might not agree to that. He likely wouldn’t, unless you offered him something else in addition. Something big. Something that gave him security outside of you, somehow. Something that said, ‘Look, I do love you, but this is the best that I can do.’”
“‘This is the best that I can do,’” I repeated. “Very romantic. Wait. Isthathow you got your cottage?”
“No,” he said.
“Gross,” I groaned. “Fine. But what is ‘big?’ Money? The cottage? A title? I mean, I already offered to knight him before. He refused.”
Elías raised his brows. “He refused?”
